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Mount Moriah Cemetery (Philadelphia): Difference between revisions
Mount Moriah Cemetery (Philadelphia) (view source)
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|established = 1855 | |established = 1855 | ||
|country = United States | |country = United States | ||
|location = | |location = Philadelphia, [[Pennsylvania]], U.S. | ||
|coordinates = {{coord|39.9297|-75.2356|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | |coordinates = {{coord|39.9297|-75.2356|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | ||
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'''Mount Moriah Cemetery''' is a historic [[rural cemetery]] that spans the border between [[Southwest Philadelphia]] and [[Yeadon, Pennsylvania]]. It was established in 1855 and is the largest cemetery in Pennsylvania. It is 200 acres in size and contains 150,000 burials. It differed from Philadelphia's other rural cemeteries such as [[Laurel Hill Cemetery]] and the [[The Woodlands (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)|Woodlands Cemetery]] in that it was easily accessible by [[Tram|streetcar]]; allowed burials of African-Americans, Jews and Muslims;<ref name=Hatmaker>{{cite web |last1=Hatmaker |first1=Julia |title=Inside the formerly abandoned Mt. Moriah Cemetery: Cool Spaces |url=https://www.pennlive.com/life/2017/10/inside_the_formerly_abandoned_1.html |website=www.pennlive.com |date=31 October 2017 |access-date=23 August 2019}}</ref> and catered to a more middle-class clientele.{{sfn|Keels|2003|p=49}} | '''Mount Moriah Cemetery''' is a historic [[rural cemetery]] that spans the border between [[Southwest Philadelphia]] and [[Yeadon, Pennsylvania]]. It was established in 1855 and is the largest cemetery in Pennsylvania. It is 200 acres in size and contains 150,000 burials. It differed from Philadelphia's other rural cemeteries such as [[Laurel Hill Cemetery]] and the [[The Woodlands (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)|Woodlands Cemetery]] in that it was easily accessible by [[Tram|streetcar]]; allowed burials of African-Americans, Jews and Muslims;<ref name=Hatmaker>{{cite web |last1=Hatmaker |first1=Julia |title=Inside the formerly abandoned Mt. Moriah Cemetery: Cool Spaces |url=https://www.pennlive.com/life/2017/10/inside_the_formerly_abandoned_1.html |website=www.pennlive.com |date=31 October 2017 |access-date=23 August 2019}}</ref> and catered to a more middle-class clientele.{{sfn|Keels|2003|p=49}} | ||
The cemetery is a part of the [[United States National Cemetery System]] dating back to the | The cemetery is a part of the [[United States National Cemetery System]] dating back to the American Civil War. It contains two military burial plots that are maintained by the [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs]]. The Soldiers' Lot on the Philadelphia side of the cemetery contains 406 burials and the Naval Plot on the Yeadon side contains 2,400 burials. | ||
The cemetery closed its gates in April 2011 and had no owner when the last member of the board of directors died. It became wildly overgrown with vegetation, was a site for illegal dumping, and the buildings, graves and monuments fell into disrepair. A non-profit organization called ''The Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery'' formed to clear overgrown brush, maintain graves, stabilize the crumbling gatehouse and raise money for a petition to place the cemetery on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]. The Orphans Court of Philadelphia granted a second organization, the Mount Moriah Cemetery Preservation Corporation, a receivership in 2014. | The cemetery closed its gates in April 2011 and had no owner when the last member of the board of directors died. It became wildly overgrown with vegetation, was a site for illegal dumping, and the buildings, graves and monuments fell into disrepair. A non-profit organization called ''The Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery'' formed to clear overgrown brush, maintain graves, stabilize the crumbling gatehouse and raise money for a petition to place the cemetery on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]. The Orphans Court of Philadelphia granted a second organization, the Mount Moriah Cemetery Preservation Corporation, a receivership in 2014. | ||
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A [[Romanesque Revival architecture|Norman Castellated]] [[brownstone]] gatehouse<ref>{{cite web |last1=Christopher |first1=Matthew |title=Mount Moriah Cemetery |url=https://www.abandonedamerica.us/mount-moriah-cemetery |website=www.abandonedamerica.us |access-date=23 August 2019}}</ref> designed by [[Stephen Decatur Button]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Confederates, Catholic, Muslims and Masons: The Mount Moriah Cemetery Tour |url=https://ruins.wordpress.com/2007/12/01/mount-moriah-cemetery/ |website=www.ruins.wordpress.com |date=December 2007 |access-date=23 August 2019}}</ref> was built at the entrance on Islington Lane, today known as Kingsessing Avenue. A single gated arch was topped with an imposing statue of [[Father Time]]. The statue was purchased, removed from the gate and placed atop the grave of John H. Jones. | A [[Romanesque Revival architecture|Norman Castellated]] [[brownstone]] gatehouse<ref>{{cite web |last1=Christopher |first1=Matthew |title=Mount Moriah Cemetery |url=https://www.abandonedamerica.us/mount-moriah-cemetery |website=www.abandonedamerica.us |access-date=23 August 2019}}</ref> designed by [[Stephen Decatur Button]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Confederates, Catholic, Muslims and Masons: The Mount Moriah Cemetery Tour |url=https://ruins.wordpress.com/2007/12/01/mount-moriah-cemetery/ |website=www.ruins.wordpress.com |date=December 2007 |access-date=23 August 2019}}</ref> was built at the entrance on Islington Lane, today known as Kingsessing Avenue. A single gated arch was topped with an imposing statue of [[Father Time]]. The statue was purchased, removed from the gate and placed atop the grave of John H. Jones. | ||
The cemetery contains two separate military burial plots dating back to the [[U.S. Civil War]] that are maintained by the [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs|Department of Veterans Affairs]]. The Naval Plot on the Yeadon side of the cemetery contains 2,400 graves of sailors who were treated at the [[Naval Square, Philadelphia|Grays Ferry Avenue Naval Hospital]]. A smaller plot of 406 graves known as the Soldier's Rest<ref name=NPS>{{cite web |title=Mount Moriah Cemetery Naval Plot and Soldiers' Lot Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |url=https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/national_cemeteries/Pennsylvania/Mount_Moriah_Cemetery_Naval_Plot_and_Soldiers_Lot.html |website=www.nps.gov |access-date=23 August 2019}}</ref> is on the Philadelphia side of the cemetery.<ref name=Papa/> Mount Moriah contains veterans of the [[U.S. Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]] through the | The cemetery contains two separate military burial plots dating back to the [[U.S. Civil War]] that are maintained by the [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs|Department of Veterans Affairs]]. The Naval Plot on the Yeadon side of the cemetery contains 2,400 graves of sailors who were treated at the [[Naval Square, Philadelphia|Grays Ferry Avenue Naval Hospital]]. A smaller plot of 406 graves known as the Soldier's Rest<ref name=NPS>{{cite web |title=Mount Moriah Cemetery Naval Plot and Soldiers' Lot Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |url=https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/national_cemeteries/Pennsylvania/Mount_Moriah_Cemetery_Naval_Plot_and_Soldiers_Lot.html |website=www.nps.gov |access-date=23 August 2019}}</ref> is on the Philadelphia side of the cemetery.<ref name=Papa/> Mount Moriah contains veterans of the [[U.S. Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]] through the Vietnam War<ref name=Hatmaker/> and 25 Medal of Honor awardees<ref>{{cite web |last1=Boccella |first1=Kathy |title=Historic cemetery reveals Medal of Honor winners |url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/20130925_Historic_cemetery_reveals_Medal_of_Honor_winners.html |website=www.inquirer.com |date=25 September 2013 |publisher=The Philadelphia Inquirer |access-date=9 May 2024}}</ref> which may be the highest number of any private cemetery.<ref name=WHYY>{{cite web |last1=Blumgart |first1=Jake |title=Mount Moriah cemetery could become nature sanctuary |url=https://whyy.org/articles/mount-moriah-cemetery-could-become-nature-sanctuary/ |website=www.whyy.org |access-date=23 August 2019}}</ref> There is one [[Commonwealth War Graves Commission|British Commonwealth war grave]] of a soldier of the [[Royal Scots]] from World War I.<ref>[https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/4010459/MALCOLM%20MacFARLANE/] CWGC casualty record.</ref> | ||
One section of the cemetery, known as the Circle of St. John or Masons Circle,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Arvedlud |first1=Erin E. |title=Keeping Mount Moriah Cemetery, and its memories, alive |url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/business/20160410_Keeping_Mount_Moriah_Cemetery__and_its_memories__alive.html |website=www.inquirer.com |date=10 April 2016 |access-date=28 August 2019}}</ref> contains the Schnider monument, a 35-foot high [[Corinthian order|Corinthian column]] topped by the [[Masonic]] [[square and compasses]] dedicated to William B. Schnider, the Grand Tyler of [[Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania's Central Grand Lodge]].<ref name=Murrell/> | One section of the cemetery, known as the Circle of St. John or Masons Circle,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Arvedlud |first1=Erin E. |title=Keeping Mount Moriah Cemetery, and its memories, alive |url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/business/20160410_Keeping_Mount_Moriah_Cemetery__and_its_memories__alive.html |website=www.inquirer.com |date=10 April 2016 |access-date=28 August 2019}}</ref> contains the Schnider monument, a 35-foot high [[Corinthian order|Corinthian column]] topped by the [[Masonic]] [[square and compasses]] dedicated to William B. Schnider, the Grand Tyler of [[Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania's Central Grand Lodge]].<ref name=Murrell/> | ||
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Mount Moriah Cemetery was established by an act of the [[Pennsylvania General Assembly|Pennsylvania Legislature]] and incorporated on March 27, 1855.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Scharf |first1=John Thomas |title=History of Philadelphia, 1609–1884 |date=1884 |publisher=L.H. Everts & Co. |location=Philadelphia |page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_8uYkAAAAYAAJ/page/n744 2360] |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_8uYkAAAAYAAJ |quote=moriah. |access-date=23 August 2019}}</ref> The cemetery was expanded to approximately 380 acres, spanning [[Cobbs Creek]] into the [[Yeadon, Pennsylvania|Borough of Yeadon]] in adjacent [[Delaware County, Pennsylvania|Delaware County]], making it the largest cemetery in [[Pennsylvania]].<ref name=atlasobscura/> | Mount Moriah Cemetery was established by an act of the [[Pennsylvania General Assembly|Pennsylvania Legislature]] and incorporated on March 27, 1855.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Scharf |first1=John Thomas |title=History of Philadelphia, 1609–1884 |date=1884 |publisher=L.H. Everts & Co. |location=Philadelphia |page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_8uYkAAAAYAAJ/page/n744 2360] |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_8uYkAAAAYAAJ |quote=moriah. |access-date=23 August 2019}}</ref> The cemetery was expanded to approximately 380 acres, spanning [[Cobbs Creek]] into the [[Yeadon, Pennsylvania|Borough of Yeadon]] in adjacent [[Delaware County, Pennsylvania|Delaware County]], making it the largest cemetery in [[Pennsylvania]].<ref name=atlasobscura/> | ||
[[File:Besty Ross Flagpole and historic marker at Mount Moriah Cemetery Philadelphia.jpg|alt=Besty Ross Flagpole and historic marker at Mount Moriah Cemetery Philadelphia|thumb|The [[Daughters of the American Revolution]] erected a flagpole to commemorate the estimated burial site of [[Betsy Ross]]]] | [[File:Besty Ross Flagpole and historic marker at Mount Moriah Cemetery Philadelphia.jpg|alt=Besty Ross Flagpole and historic marker at Mount Moriah Cemetery Philadelphia|thumb|The [[Daughters of the American Revolution]] erected a flagpole to commemorate the estimated burial site of [[Betsy Ross]]]] | ||
In 1856, the remains of [[Betsy Ross]] and her third husband John Claypoole were moved from the Free Quaker Burying Ground in | In 1856, the remains of [[Betsy Ross]] and her third husband John Claypoole were moved from the Free Quaker Burying Ground in Philadelphia to Mount Moriah.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://strangeremains.com/2016/06/30/rediscovering-betsy-ross-bones/|title=Rediscovering Betsy Ross' bones|date=2016-07-01|work=Strange Remains|access-date=2018-07-21|language=en-US}}</ref> The practice of cemeteries purchasing the remains of famous historical individuals was common in order to drive additional business. The [[Daughters of the American Revolution]] erected a flagpole at the site of her grave in her memory.{{sfn|Webster|2014|p=152}} | ||
[[File:Mt Moriah Philly Civil War graves.JPG|thumb|The Soldiers' Lot contains the graves of 404 Union Soldiers and 2 Confederate Soldiers]] | [[File:Mt Moriah Philly Civil War graves.JPG|thumb|The Soldiers' Lot contains the graves of 404 Union Soldiers and 2 Confederate Soldiers]] | ||
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{{Category see also |Burials at Mount Moriah Cemetery (Philadelphia)}} | {{Category see also |Burials at Mount Moriah Cemetery (Philadelphia)}} | ||
* [[Edwin Adams (actor)|Edwin Adams]] (1834–1877), stage actor<ref>[https://friendsofmountmoriahcemetery.org/edwin-adams-1834-1877-actor/ Edwin Adams], Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery (FOMMCI)</ref> | * [[Edwin Adams (actor)|Edwin Adams]] (1834–1877), stage actor<ref>[https://friendsofmountmoriahcemetery.org/edwin-adams-1834-1877-actor/ Edwin Adams], Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery (FOMMCI)</ref> | ||
* [[Charles Baker (Medal of Honor)|Charles Baker]] (1809–1891), | * [[Charles Baker (Medal of Honor)|Charles Baker]] (1809–1891), Medal of Honor recipient<ref>[https://friendsofmountmoriahcemetery.org/charles-baker-1809-1891/ Charles Baker], FOMMCI</ref> | ||
* [[Albert Beyer]] (1859–1929), Medal of Honor recipient<ref>[https://friendsofmountmoriahcemetery.org/albert-beyer-1859-1929/ Albert Beyer], FOMMCI</ref> | * [[Albert Beyer]] (1859–1929), Medal of Honor recipient<ref>[https://friendsofmountmoriahcemetery.org/albert-beyer-1859-1929/ Albert Beyer], FOMMCI</ref> | ||
* [[Annie Kemp Bowler]] (? – 1876), stage actress and singer | * [[Annie Kemp Bowler]] (? – 1876), stage actress and singer | ||
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* [[Samuel Miles]] (1739–1805), French & Indian War officer, Revolutionary War officer, Philadelphia civic activist, 1st Troop Captain (1786–1791), Mayor (1790–1791), and nation's first faithless elector, presidential election, 1796. | * [[Samuel Miles]] (1739–1805), French & Indian War officer, Revolutionary War officer, Philadelphia civic activist, 1st Troop Captain (1786–1791), Mayor (1790–1791), and nation's first faithless elector, presidential election, 1796. | ||
* [[Jocko Milligan|John "Jocko" Milligan]] (1861–1923), baseball player<ref>[https://friendsofmountmoriahcemetery.org/john-jocko-milligan-baseball-player/ John "Jocko" Milligan], FOMMCI</ref> | * [[Jocko Milligan|John "Jocko" Milligan]] (1861–1923), baseball player<ref>[https://friendsofmountmoriahcemetery.org/john-jocko-milligan-baseball-player/ John "Jocko" Milligan], FOMMCI</ref> | ||
* [[Moses Orr]] (1840–1897), | * [[Moses Orr]] (1840–1897), Medal of Honor recipient<ref>[https://friendsofmountmoriahcemetery.org/moses-orr/ Moses Orr], FOMMCI</ref> | ||
* [[Michael Owens (Medal of Honor)|Michael Owens]] (1837–1890), Medal of Honor recipient<ref>[https://friendsofmountmoriahcemetery.org/owens/ Michael Owens], FOMMCI</ref> | * [[Michael Owens (Medal of Honor)|Michael Owens]] (1837–1890), Medal of Honor recipient<ref>[https://friendsofmountmoriahcemetery.org/owens/ Michael Owens], FOMMCI</ref> | ||
* [[Betsy Ross]] (1752–1836), upholsterer credited with making the first American flag | * [[Betsy Ross]] (1752–1836), upholsterer credited with making the first American flag | ||
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* [[Thomas H. Stockton]] (1808–1868) Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives | * [[Thomas H. Stockton]] (1808–1868) Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives | ||
* [[August P. Teytand]] (1878–1956), Medal of Honor recipient<ref>[http://friendsofmountmoriahcemetery.org/august-p-teytand/ August P Teytand], FOMMCI</ref> | * [[August P. Teytand]] (1878–1956), Medal of Honor recipient<ref>[http://friendsofmountmoriahcemetery.org/august-p-teytand/ August P Teytand], FOMMCI</ref> | ||
* [[William Thompson (Medal of Honor, 1861)|William Thompson]] (d. 1872), | * [[William Thompson (Medal of Honor, 1861)|William Thompson]] (d. 1872), Medal of Honor recipient<ref>[https://friendsofmountmoriahcemetery.org/william-thompson/ William Thompson], FOMMCI</ref> | ||
* [[Alexander H. Truett]] (1833–1898), Medal of Honor recipient<ref>{{cite web |title=Alexander H. Truett |url=http://vconline.org.uk/alexander-h-truett/4594395943}}</ref> | * [[Alexander H. Truett]] (1833–1898), Medal of Honor recipient<ref>{{cite web |title=Alexander H. Truett |url=http://vconline.org.uk/alexander-h-truett/4594395943}}</ref> | ||
* [[John Whitehead (singer)|John Whitehead]] (1948–2004), singer, songwriter<ref>[https://friendsofmountmoriahcemetery.org/john-whitehead-1948-2004-musician/ John Whitehead], FOMMCI</ref> | * [[John Whitehead (singer)|John Whitehead]] (1948–2004), singer, songwriter<ref>[https://friendsofmountmoriahcemetery.org/john-whitehead-1948-2004-musician/ John Whitehead], FOMMCI</ref> | ||